The autumn festival within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association project "Open Football Lessons" took place in the village of Staryi Vovchynets this year.

Together with the Chernivtsi Oblast Football Association and Chernivtsi National University, a unique event was held that gathered the most active teachers from the region to exchange experiences and implement new methods and technologies in teaching. This festival gives children the opportunity to demonstrate their desire to achieve high goals in football and participate in master classes led by volunteers of open lessons.

Photo AFO

The festival also contributes to the development of creative abilities both for students and teachers. It inspires teachers to new achievements and gives schoolchildren the opportunity to immerse themselves more deeply in the learning process through non-standard approaches.

Photo AFO

"The 'Open Football Lessons' festivals are open to all children. For us, the main thing is not the sports result but the joy of playing where boys and girls are equal and everyone is a winner," said Oleksandr Plakhov, the project coordinator in Chernivtsi Oblast.

Photo AFO

The school principal of Staryi Vovchynets Lyceum, Dmytro Chaplya, also greeted the students and thanked UAF and AFO for an interesting football lesson: "Concern for children, protection of their rights is the responsibility of every adult. That's why so many partners and like-minded people have united around the idea of 'Open Football Lessons.' Because all children deserve a happy childhood!"

Photo AFO

It should be noted that three educational institutions from Kamianets TG (villages of Staryi Vovchynets, Kamianka and Bagrinivka) received football equipment. Local volunteers sincerely thanked representatives of Chernivtsi National University Yuri Mosyichuk and Sergiy Dariychuk for their help.

Photo AFO

The Ukrainian Football Association project "Open Football Lessons," supported by the New Democracy Foundation (NDF), the Danish Cross-Cultural Projects Association (CCPA) and UEFA, is:

• psychosocial support for children of ZSU servicemen, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment where participants are involved regardless of their abilities, gender, as well as the participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from playing instead of results at any cost;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• development of volunteering;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons and others).

All project events are held in regions with the approval of oblast military administrations.